Mechanical graph



June 7, 1960 R. w. DURNIN MECHANICAL GRAPH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed 001;. 7. 1958 IN VENTOR flltzzwn Vfluazrm ATTORNEYS June 7, 1960 R. w. DURNIN MECHANICAL GRAPH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 7, 1958 I NVENTOR Wilma Wfimwrzy ATTORNEYS United t s The present invention relates to mechanical graphs and particularly to such devices which are of the bar graph type.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a self contained mechanical graph structure by means of which a plurality of indications may be comparatively displayed.

Another object of the invention is to provide the mechanical graph of the class described above in which the length of the indicator members may be varied at will.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanical bar graph having readily replaceable indicia strips for identifying the indications on the graph.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a mechanical graph of the class described above which is inexpensive to manufacture, simple to use and which permits a wide variation in the application of indications to the graph.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the following specification when considered in the light of the attached drawings, in which:

Figure -1 is a perspective view of the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the indicator shaft with indicator rolls mounted thereon;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 44 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of arrows;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the indicator rolls shown removed from the shaft;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken along the line 6--6 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 7' is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of a modified form of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures, the reference numeral 10 indicates generally a mechanical graph constructed in accordance with the invention.

The mechanical graph 10 includes a flat upright metallic panel 11 of generally rectangular configuration and formed of magnetically attractable material. The panel 11 is normally used in an upright position with the edge 12 thereof forming the upper edge. The panel 11 has a plurality of spaced apart parallel horizontal lines 13 formed on its forward face, for reasons to be assigned.

The lower portion of the panel 11 is formed into a generally cylindrical tube .1 4 having the terminal edge 15 thereof spaced from the forward face of the panel 11. The tube 1 4 is generally horizontal and extends parallel to the top edge 12 of the panel .11.

A channel support 16 is secure in upright relation to the forward face of the panel 11, adjacent one side edge thereof. An indicia strip 17 is slideably engaged in the support 16 so as to have the indicia thereon aligned with the respective spaced parallel lines 13 on the forward face of. the panel 11. The indicia strip 17' can he slid from the support 16: and replaced with other indicia strips having different scales thereon. r g

A horizontal channel support 18 extends transversely of the forward faceof the panel 11 closely adjacentto and parallel with thewtube 14. v The channel support 18- has a resilient pad 19 adhesively secured thereto inter: mediate the channel support 18 and the panel 11. Y A bolt. 20 extends through each end of the channel support '18 andis threaded into the' panel 11' for adjustably positioning thechannel support Iii-with respect to the panel 11. A coil spring 21 encompasses'thebolt 20 and engages the forward face of the panel 11 at one end anda washer 22 encompassing the bolt 20 at the other end. The washer 22 is engaged against the side of the pad 19 adjacent the panel 11 and the coil spring21 normally urges the channel support 1 8 outwardly away from the panel 11 to the extent permitted by the adjustment of the bolts 20.

An indicia strip 23 is supported in the channel support 18 and can be removed therefrom by horizontal sliding movement. :The indicia strip 23 is provided with a scale and is interchangeable with other strips having different scales thereon.

A shaft 24 is provided at one end with at head 25 fixedly secured thereto and at its opposite end with a knob 26 threaded onto the shaft 24. A plurality of tape housings 27, as best shown in Figures 3 and 5, are mounted on the shaft 24 between the head 25 and the knob 26. The housings 27 are spaced apart by cylindrical spacers 28 to position the housings 27 in a desired relationship along the shaft 24. The housings 27 each have a generally cylindrical portion 29 having an elongated upright tape guide extension 30 integrally formed thereon.

A plurality of metal tapes 31 are positioned in each of the housings 27 wound on a spool 32. The housings 27 are provided with outwardly extending barbs 33 on each end thereof to prevent relative rotation between the housings 27 and their adjacent spacers 28 when assembling the housings 2'7 on the shaft 24.

The metallic tapes 3.1 are each provided with a clip 34 on its upper end to provide means for moving the tape 31 with respect to the panel 11. The clip 34 is formed of magnetic material and is magnetically attracted to the panel 11 with suflicient force to support the tape 31 on the panel 11. The tapes -31 extend between the pad 19 and the forward face of the panel 11 so that the pad 19 serves as a friction brake to assist in maintaining the tapes 31 in their extended position.

A plurality of channel supports 35 are each provided with magnetic supports 36 fixedly secured thereto to detachably mount the channel supports 35 in a desired position on the forward face of the panel 11. indicia strips 37 are detachably supported in the channel supports 35 and are adapted to carry indicia to identify the tapes 31.

The tapes 31 have a plurality of colors to permit ready identification and comparison of the charted information.

It should be understood that the housings 27 may be formed with any desired number of tapes 31 and that the housings 27 can be mounted on the shaft 24 with any desired number of spacers 28 positioned between the housings 27.

In the modification illustrated in Figure 7, the panel 11a is provided with a vertically elongated oval tube 14a on its lower end. Vertically elongated housings 27a are supported in the tube 14a and are provided with an upwardly extending tape guide 30a integrally formed thereon.

A rear tape 31r extends through the tape guide 30a and is wound on a bottom spool 32d. A front tape 31 is arranged in overlying relation to the tape 31r and is wound on a top spool 32!. v 7

Each of the tapes Mr, 31 are provided with magnetic clips 34b. The modification illustrated in Figure 7 is otherwise the same as the preferred form of the inyentionv and is used in the-same manner with the exception that the overlying tapes Sir, 31f permit twoindications to be made in the same bar by having the tapes 31r, 31; of different colors.

- It should be understood that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to in addition to those shown without departing from the scope of the appended claims. 1

What is claimed is: v 1

1. A mechanical graph comprising a metallic panel, atube integrally'formed on the lower edge of said panel, a plurality of laterally spaced-tapes supported in said tube, magnetic means on each of said tapes for securing said tapes to said panel when extended from said tube, and a friction brake adjustably secured to said panel adjacent said tube with said. brake engaging said tapes to retard the movement of said tapes into and out of said tube.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said brake includes a channel support for supporting an indicia strip extending transversely of said panel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS j Brown Dec. 11, 1928 Hoskins Mar. 18, 1952 

